How does Irish citizenship through descent work?

Irish citizenship through descent allows people born outside Ireland to claim Irish citizenship based on their ancestry. The rules are structured in generations and depend on the birth registration history of each generation.

First generation born abroad: If one of your parents was born in Ireland or Northern Ireland, you are entitled to Irish citizenship. If your parent was born in Northern Ireland, they must have exercised their entitlement to Irish citizenship (for example by obtaining an Irish passport) for you to claim citizenship through them.

Second generation born abroad: If one of your grandparents was born in Ireland and your parent registered their birth on the Foreign Births Register before you were born, you are an Irish citizen and can register your own birth on the FBR. If your parent did not register before your birth, you may still be able to register, but the process is more complex.

Third generation and beyond: Generally, Irish citizenship cannot be passed beyond the second generation born abroad unless a parent registered on the FBR before the child's birth in each generation. Post-nuptial citizenship (citizenship acquired through marriage to an Irish citizen) was available before 30 November 2002 but is no longer an automatic entitlement; such persons must now apply through naturalisation.

Registration on the Foreign Births Register is done through the Department of Foreign Affairs.

This is general information only, not legal advice. Consult a registered immigration solicitor for advice specific to your situation.